Soak in the type of parenting where there are colorful paints under your fingernails, where kids throw spontaneous living room dance parties and stacks of crudely drawn figures are kept instead of being thrown away. Everything mentioned is part of artful parenting as a metaphoric approach, however, artful parenting is not limited to that. It’s interconnected with being able to nurture, care and express oneself through art.
From leading a child to their first finger-painting activity, to losing yourself in a soothing coloring book after bed time, there are so many ways that artistic expression can be used to nurture both the self and family. It’s not about being an expert or skilled in a certain type of art. It is so much more than that. It is simply being present. Wiling to engage in a new activity. It is about opening yourself to new experiences, being adaptable and takes on the initiative to play.
Why Now & Why Art?
While the world continues to reward productivity, art encourages one to slow down and listen. As you and your child make art together, you are not only crafting but also developing self-soothing skills, sustaining focus, and partaking in nonverbal interaction. You are communicating, saying, “What you feel matters. Let’s create space for it.”
Artistic practices can serve as tools for self-reparenting as well. Perhaps the household you grew up in did not allow for messes to be made or feelings expressed openly. Today, though, you get to change that narrative—for yourself and the next generation. You get to say: It’s okay to color outside the lines.
The Benefits of Artistic Rituals
The ease of the mind: Repetitive tactile art forms, such as weaving, sketching or coloring, calm the mind and calm the nerves.
Self-expression: Art provides an outlet for both kids and adults when words fail to do the job.
Trust in your intuition: The act of creating anything from a simple crayon scribble to a clay bowl fosters trust in your instincts.
Intimacy: Creating side by side with your child promotes togetherness alongside joy.
Presence: As with most activities that take no screens or distractions, art fosters being in the now.
Inspiration for All Ages
For Adults and Children:
Affirmation coloring books (mandalas, nature scenes).
Watercolor painting (low pressure and calming).
Emotionally expressive collages with old magazines.
Grounding touch sculpting with clay or playdough.
Nature art such as leaf rubbings, rock painting and flower pressing.
For Adults Designing a Creative Reset:
Art Journaling (a daily doodle to remember your day)
Mixed media canvases (layers of paint, paper, and texture).
Paint or express feelings with pastels or acrylics—abstract expression.
For Children Artistically Themed Freedom of Exploration:
Mess-friendly finger painting outside (best done outdoors!)
Crafting with recycled materials (what about a robot made of boxes?).
Telling puppet stories or making them.
Chalk art on sidewalks (murals).
Make It A Ritual
Set regular family “art dates” with yourself. Sunday mornings, post-dinner wind downs or five minutes after school. It’s more about consistency than perfection.
Make supplies visible and easy to grab. Come to terms with the mess. This isn’t about making Pinterest-perfect projects, it’s about sparking curiosity and imagination.
Art is a methodology to remind ourselves that life isn’t something to just manage, rather felt. Self-expression toward family in a familial, nurturing style or toward oneself will help foster an artful environment.
You are invited to color the margins, paint the pages and get a little messy while you live life.
That’s the place where all the magic happens.